[Carpe Cerevisi]

I never understood why grown men would walk around wearing a jersey with another man’s name on it. Seems kind of childish to me.

[Chipper]

I don't understand why people who aren't actual cowboys wear cowboy boots and cowboy hats. Then again clothing is a personal preference, and as long as all the "bits" are covered I could care less what anyone wears;-)

I have no NFL jerseys, but I do like to wear my Red Wings jerseys in the winter. They are called sweaters for a reason. I also like wearing my baseball jerseys. One is a NNOB Cubs jersey. The others are game-worn Negro League throwbacks. They are very comfortable to wear.

[Krankor]

I never understood why grown men would walk around wearing a jersey with another man’s name on it. Seems kind of childish to me.

You wanna wear the name of your team or city, that's one thing. You get your picture taken with your favorite athlete, movie star or politician, that's ok, too (as long as it's free). But wearing a shirt with another guy's name on it it just seems..well..a bit demeaning.

[Boogieman]

I never understood it either, it always seemed absurd to me. This author at least admits the absurdity, and does kind of explain the phenomenon. I have a friend who actually thinks that his team will play better when he is in the stands cheering for them. Intellectually, he must know that’s ridiculous, but somehow he rationalizes it, because I guess that way, he feels like they need him somehow, and he is part of the team. Hey, if it helps him get through the day, so be it.

[Red in Blue PA]

I never understood why grown men would walk around wearing a jersey with another man’s name on it. Seems kind of childish to me.

I never felt the urge to live vicariously through another. Do not understand that phenomenon.

[all the best]

You got it right. Childish. I go to church with Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and I find it amusing that other people are walking by him with his name on their backs.

[OrangeHoof]

I never understood why grown men would walk around wearing a jersey with another man’s name on it. Seems kind of childish to me.

Because a few grown women will actually believe the grown men when they try to pass themselves off as the player whose name is on the back of the jersey as the guy hopes to go in for the score.

"Yeah, lady, that's me. I'm Emmitt Smith. Sure, I looked different back in my playing days..."

In a related story, the AP ran an obit a few years ago about a player named Bill Henry who used to pitch in the majors back in the 60s. One reporter, who knew him from his playing days, called the reclusive player's wife to express his condolences.

"He ain't dead," said the wife. "He's right here having breakfast. You wanna talk to him?"

Turns out the deceased was an imposter whose own wife thought for 30 years that he was the retired pitcher. The AP had to run a retraction.